HDTV Forum

I enjoy having HD DVR functionality (like a TiVo for HDTV) by using a home theater PC (HTPC) with an HDTV tuner card which tunes digital OTA channels and allows digital recording to the PC's hard drive.

Assuming the user lives within range of OTA signals, which are not too tough to receive, the setup works very well and is quite cost effective. There are no monthly fees. Putting together a good remote-control HTPC than can play DVDs, surf the net with a wireless keyboard, play games, act as a digital music jukebox, display and record HDTV can all be done for under $1500. It would then connect to your HDTV set via 3 wire component or DVI cables and your surround sound receiver via an optical digital cable.

Alias, CSI, Leno, The Agency, The Masters, NCCA Finals, assorted PBS specials, The US Open, The Olympics all look fabulous in HD, whether live or time-shifted. There is absolutely no difference in video or sound quality. In my opinion, getting your HDTV via OTA is the highest tech, best looking approach existing today. Cable and Sat HD feeds use too much compression. I've yet to see a better image than one transmitted by local broadcasters and received via my OTA antenna.

And once you have the hardware, the programming is all free.

I use and prefer the MyHD MDP-100 by MIT as my HD DVR card. It both tunes digital/analog OTA content and allows recording. This card also offers a no-cost electronic programming guide. See:

http://www.digitalconnection.com/Produc ... o/myhd.asp

There is also the accessDTV card. This card both tunes and allows recording. It offers a no-cost manual recording, but charges about $10 monthly for the electronic programming guide. See:

http://www.accessdtv.com/accessdtv/index.htm

There is also the WinTV-D card. This card is a tuner only and is not for recording.

http://hauppauge.lightpath.net/html/wintv-d.pdf

If you are not the sort who would be inclined to build your own PC, there are vendors offering complete systems. Here is a system for $1999:

http://www.rkrvideo.com/products/cassini_hds.htm

Here is one for $1399, scroll to the bottom:

http://www.digitalconnection.com/

Sasha Jevtich
September 6 2002

Thanks for posting the info Sasha.

Please be aware that this has a little bit of rocket science to it. If you are comfortable with technology then this is an option for you. If you are looking for a "one button does all" approach you might be better served with the familiarity of a D-VHS VCR.

Richard F. Fisher